Halifax, NS – October 24, 2024 – The Emera ideaHUB is excited to announce the selection of 11 groundbreaking deep tech startups for the Fall ideaBUILD Cohort. This unique program is designed to transform innovative ideas into physical products that contribute to a healthier world.
As one of the few early-stage deep tech incubators in Atlantic Canada and globally, the Emera ideaHUB provides diverse founders with the essential resources, expertise, and collaborative environment needed to thrive. Our commitment to fostering innovation is supported by strategic partnerships within academia and industry, enabling founders to refine their concepts and develop new products that address pressing global challenges.
The ideaBUILD program offers participants $10,000 in funding to cover prototyping materials, along with technical focus workshops and industry-leading advisors in the deep tech space. This comprehensive support system is designed to help founders validate their concepts and build their product’s first operational prototype, setting them on a path to success. The ideaBUILD program is funded in partnership with the Emera Inc., Dalhousie University, the Province of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
“We are thrilled to welcome these talented founders into the Emera ideaHUB community,” said Talis Apud Martinez, Associate Director at Emera ideaHUB. “Each startup brings a unique perspective and innovative approach that aligns with our mission of creating a healthier world through technology. We look forward to supporting them on their journey from idea to operational prototype.”
The selected startups represent a diverse array of fields, showcasing the potential of deep tech to revolutionize industries and improve quality of life. Throughout the program, founders will benefit from mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to accelerate their growth and impact. Join us in welcoming this impressive lineup of startups to the Emera ideaHUB.
| IdeaBUILD Teams | Founder | Venture Description |
| Alaagi | Sheheryar Khan | Alaagi is a startup dedicated to creating innovative, biodegradable bioplastics from seaweed. It provides sustainable alternatives to eliminate single-use petroleum-based plastics, used in the food packaging and manufacturing industries. |
| AquaSense Analytics | Hossein Salimian | AquaSense Analytics leverages edge AI technology to provide real-time, actionable ocean data through affordable, modular sensors. We empower offshore energy projects and maritime industries to make faster, smarter decisions while reducing costs and environmental impact. |
| Cavlom Enterprise | Anthony Ighomuaye & Kenneth Uvie-Emegbo | Cavlom Enterprise is a micro-mobility startup focusing on converting old vehicles from gasoline to electric. |
| ChemXplor | Mohsen Kompany-Zareh | ChemXplor aims to revolutionize medical diagnostics and treatment by developing BreathX as an advanced Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS) optimized for detecting biomarkers, monitoring anesthesia levels, detecting anomalies, and identifying infections. |
| CleanEnv | Frances Utomi | CleanEnv is an innovative waste management solution that converts food waste into valuable byproducts, significantly reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability. With patented technology and a scalable model, CleanEnv offers a cost-effective way to address the global food waste crisis. |
| CM Marine Safety Equipment Ltd | Ben Collings Mackay | CM Marine Safety Equipment is a company dedicated to creating lifejackets for commercial fishermen that work within their hard environment. It is a product created for fishermen by fishermen. |
| Epoch Stride | Bruce Ferguson | Epoch Stride is developing groundbreaking AI and Robotics solutions aimed at transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities, equipping them with the tools they need to overcome accessibility barriers and lead fuller, more independent lives. |
| NexaPowder | Elham Afshari, Mostafa khosravinezhad & Sara Mirzaei | NexaPowder Inc. is committed to sustainable advancement in metal 3D printing, producing high-quality spherical metal powders from recycled materials. Our innovative approach reduces energy consumption, costs, and emissions while meeting industry demands for customized material solutions. |
| PhyCo Technologies Inc. | Ranah Chavoshi & Dr. Stacey Goldberg | PhyCo is a B2B biomaterials manufacturing company at the pre-revenue stage. We are developing earth-digestible and non-toxic biomaterials derived from seaweed grown in partnership with Indigenous nations. Our flagship product—a compostable alternative to polyethylene—is targeted at the agriculture industry, which relies on plastic. |
| Roots and Harvest by EduHaus | Simone Le Gendre | Roots and Harvest by EduHaus is transforming food systems in Atlantic Canada with an AI-powered hydroponic container farm, designed to grow culturally relevant crops and address food insecurity in Black and immigrant communities. |
| The Quill Queen | Crystal Craig | We endeavor to create a novel instrument that will make removal of porcupine quills safer for the patient and more efficient for the veterinary professional. |
For more information about the Emera ideaHUB, the ideaBUILD program, and the startups in this cohort, please visit https://dalideahub.ca or contact ideahub@dal.ca.
About Emera ideaHUB
Emera ideaHUB is dedicated to building ideas into physical products for a healthier world. With a focus on early-stage deep tech innovation, we empower founders through resources, expertise, and partnerships that catalyze the development of impactful solutions.
Media Contact:
Megan LeBlanc
Marketing & Recruitment Manager
Dalhousie Emera ideaHUB
ideahub@dal.ca
https://dalideahub.ca